Texas A&M sells "Maroonbonnets"

Texas A&M University is taking an Aggieland approach on the state flower of Texas.

Author:
Kacey Bowen

Published:
3:50 PM CST March 8, 2018

Updated:
10:39 PM CST March 8, 2018

Springtime means bluebonnets here in Texas.

But, as the familiar saying goes, "Everything is bigger in Texas." And Texas A&M University is bringing some truth to that saying.

The Texas A&M Horticulture Club is selling "Maroonbonnets."

The maroonbonnets came into existence because there was a group of people who wanted to design a Texas Flag out of bonnets, said Mariana Martinez-Ugarte, treasurer of the TAMU Horticulture Club. said. She said that since blue and white bonnets already exist naturally, they had to breed for the red ones.

"They were breeding for the red and while they were breeding, they decided to make maroon because some of the people were Aggies," she said.

Similar to traditional bluebonnets, the maroonbonnets have a more maroon color. As you tend to the plant, you can spread the seeds of the one with the maroon color and that will create more.

The club was selling 300 pots of maroonbonnets today as part of a fundraiser.

The fundraiser started at 1 p.m., but people had lined up way before for a chance to snag one of these unique plants.

Joyce Gent was one of the first lined up.

"We got five," Gent said. "We have about nine acres, so we're gonna put them out and see what happens."

Gent said the flowers were so beautiful that her and her husband had to come get some. She said they have bluebonnets already on their land, but like the idea of maroon.

"The maroon are neat to have and look at how they mix with the blue," Gent said.

Gent's husband attended A&M (Class of '75), so she said for him, the maroon is a nice touch.